§ 9. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Secretary of State for War to make a further statement about the supply of uniforms to the 43rd County of London Battalion of the Home Guard; and when the second-hand shirts, which should not have been issued, were withdrawn and replaced.
§ Mr. HeadIn my reply to a Question about this unit last Tuesday I informed the hon. and gallant Member that 69 men of this unit had been completely fitted out. This was based on inquiry made at short notice and I now find that, although the uniforms were with the unit, they had not then been issued. I apologise to the hon. and gallant Member for having misled him. The shirts were returned by the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association direct to Ordnance and were replaced on 18th April.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWhilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for correcting at least one of the major inaccuracies in his reply last week, may I ask if he will try to deal with the fact that the number of jackets issued to this unit always exceeds the number of trousers, which is liable to create an embarrassing situation? Is he aware that they should be equal in number, and will he further consider the general issue of new shirts, because there is no reason why worn, second-hand shirts should be issued to these rather limited number of public-spirited men who volunteer for the Home Guard?
§ Mr. HeadI am obliged to the hon. and gallant Member for his particular interest in this unit. At the moment they are short of an adjutant quarter-master; perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will offer to fill the post.